Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
December 10, 2007
6:32 PM Chair Bock opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Peter Bock, Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser and Town Administrator Charles Brown.
Others: Janet Horvath, Sue Siggelakis, and Heidi Seaverns.
Chair Bock announced that with the amount of business, the Board has been meeting weekly. The first administrative business discussed was a memo from the Emergency Management Director, Paul Colby). The Town of Raymond had contacted him about placing the logistical trailer that they have on loan from the State Emergency Management Department in Nottingham. Mr. Colby has spoken with the State Emergency Management Department. The trailer would take up a full bay at the Fire Station and there is a contract that would need to be signed. One of the conditions of the contract is that the trailer would need to be on the road to an incident within 1 hour of notification. Northern New England is the territory that this trailer serves. Mr. Colby is not in favor of housing this trailer. The Fire Chief is not in favor of this request
either. The Board members agreed. Mr. Colby will relay this information to Raymond and to the State as well. Mr. Brown reported that there was a structure fire in Nottingham on Sunday with a fatality. The Fire Marshall is involved. The critical incident team will be in Town on Tuesday to meet with the department.
Janet Horvath and Sue Siggelakis stepped forward to address the Board about taking the Theater Project under the umbrella of the Recreation Department. The school does not want the money responsibilities associated with the production. The program would be run out of the Recreation Revolving fund. The question is what to do with the funds that the project has as of now ($ 9000). Ms. Horvath made the inquiry of our DRA Auditor, Jeanne Samms, and Ms. Samms offered some suggestions on how to best take care of the money. Ms. Horvath is leaning to the idea of creating a Trust Fund for the money. The program would be run out of the revolving fund and if the project operated at a loss, money could be taken from the Trust Fund to make up for the loss. Much discussion followed about non-profit status for the project vs. coming
under the umbrella of the Town. Ms. Siggelakis stated that she had attempted to look into forming a non-profit but no one else would commit to the idea. Ms. Siggelakis went on to say that if the project is unable to make the move to the Town, she might have to walk away from the project. She went on to say that the school will most likely let them have the production there; they just want to rid themselves of the monetary obligations. Ms. Horvath will check with the NH Charitable Foundation to find out what needs to be done. The Board asked Ms. Horvath & Ms. Siggelakis to come back to their first meeting in January to update the Board with the progress. Ms. Siggelakis thanked the Board for their time and left. Ms. Horvath then asked the Board about placing a business directory on the Town Website. Much discussion followed. Ms. Horvath thanked the Board for their time and left at 7:10 PM.
Mr. Bock then addressed the appointment of a new Police Chief. The Board believes there is an excellent choice with in the department. Gunnar Foss is the natural choice given his years of service in Town as well as endorsement from Chief English and all members of the department. His appointment is contingent upon successful completion of the background checks. All Board members felt he is the best choice for the department and the community. The Board expects to make the appointment at their next meeting. Mr. Brown reported to the Board that he had signed an agreement with the Health Trust for health insurance for employees in 2008. Mr. Brown has met with all the employees except on regarding the change in benefits (contribution for two person and family). The Board approved the 2008 meeting schedule. Mr. Brown informed
the Board that the Tax Collector did not issue any Tax Deeds; all individuals paid their taxes before deed date. Mr. Bock stated that the Food Pantry’s Wish Upon a Star program is going well and as always, the Pantry will accept contributions. Mr. Brown reported that the temporary Bridge on Mill Pond Road is open. The Board then chose format # 2 for the mailing about the Special Town Meeting. The warrant articles are posted around Town at the School, post offices, the Library and the Community Center. Mr. Bock stated that the Board believes that the update was done accurately and the RSA ‘s have been followed. Mr. Bock then read a couple of statements from Lionel MacEachern’s letter to the Board. Mr. Bock went on to say that it is the Board’s hope that as many people come to the meeting on Saturday as possible. Ms. Bonser stated that this meeting is as a result of a petition filed by registered voters in Town.
Regarding outstanding minutes,
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept as written the minutes of the meeting on October 15, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept as written the minutes of the meeting on October 25, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept as written the minutes of the meeting on November 8, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept as amended the minutes of the meeting on November 15, 2007.
Vote: 2-0 in favor (Netishen abstains as he was not in at the meeting).
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept as amended the minutes of the meeting on November 20, 2007.
Vote: 2-0 in favor (Netishen abstains as he was not in at the meeting).
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept as written the minutes of the meeting on November 26, 2007.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The remaining outstanding minutes will be considered at the next meeting.
Board members reviewed bills, mail & correspondence.
Mr. Netishen reported to the Board that the Building Committee had a meeting on Friday. All members expressed an interest in continuing to serve on the committee. The committee is working on getting feedback from residents as to what should happen to the old Fire Station. Other issues they will continue to work on are parking here at the Community Center, what to do with the 1972 addition, and the Highway Department building that is in the CIP. The committee also expressed an interest in reviewing what work needs to be done on the Old Town Hall and the Grange Building.
The Board members next reviewed the Department Head budgets for 2008.
1) Town Clerk-salary line decreased from 2007
2) Voter Registration-increased number of elections in 2008 (6) as well as increases in printing & programming the ballot machine for the increased number of elections.
3) Financial Administration-a lengthy discussion followed about salary calculations and merit increases vs. performance awards. Also increase in Treasurer salary of
$ 750 authorized by the Board for her outstanding performance in investing Town funds.
4) Revaluation of property-addition of salary line to this budget. Removed from executive budget.
5) Legal-increase of $ 10,000, which is an educated guess.
6) Personnel Administration-most of lines within this category are salary based so they will not be calculated until the Board has set salaries. There will be a line that reflects the Police Chief’s (retired) health insurance. He remains on the Town’s plan after retirement; part of the cost is paid by NH Retirement part is out of pocket for the Chief.
7) Planning/Zoning-no feedback from the Boards, Mr. Brown has prepared budgets. Increase in hours for Zoning Secretary. Some discussion about a full time position.
8) General Government Buildings-lines associated with the new fire station will be a guess as well as fuel & electricity.
9) Cemeteries-request down to $ 6000.
10) Insurance-workmen’s comp & property liability figures need to be updated.
11) Building Inspector/Emergency Management-no issues.
12) Highway-culvert line increased from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000, salt cost per ton has increased as well as fuel costs. Engineering line reflects 25% share of the Town’s cost for Back Creek mitigation project on Deerfield Road.
13) Solid Waste-estimates for 2007 have been close, still some figuring to do for 2008, also increase in fuel line.
14) Animal Control & Health Officer-no changes
15) General Assistance-not all vendor payments in as yet.
16) Recreation- Mr. Netishen stated he was not going to support the Director’s full time status request. After some discussion,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to make the Recreation Director position a full time hourly position.
Vote: 2 (Bonser, Bock)-1(Netishen) in favor.
17) Library-budget has been submitted
18) Conservation Commission-increase in supply line for an additional file cabinets, some easels, and water testing supplies
Mr. Netishen stated his support for the full time position for the Selectmen’s Office. The other two members did not want to discuss the position at this time.
9:25 PM Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to enter non-public session under RSA 91A: 3 II (c).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
9:30 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to come out of non-public session.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
9:30 PM Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to keep all discussions in non-public session sealed and all actions taken will be recorded in the public minutes.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Having no further business,
9:30 PM Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Seaverns
Approved as corrected
1/7/08
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